Jim Bowden's infatuation with Lastings Milledge began when Bowden was the Reds' General Manager, and Milledge was at Lakewood Ranch H.S. in Bradenton, Fla. At the time, the Reds were training in Plant City, Fla. where Bowden frequently attended Milledge's high school games with Reds' scouts, comparing his bat speed to Kevin Mitchell's and Gary Sheffield's. The Mets selected Milledge with the 12th pick of the 2003 draft, two selections before the Reds chose right-hander Ryan Wagner. But Bowden never stopped trying to get his man. Two years later, Bowden tried to obtain Milledge for Brad Wilkerson but instead traded Wilkerson to the Rangers in the Alfonso Soriano deal, thinking he could sign Soriano long-term.